Sen. Tony Palumbo

Maddy summaryThis bill designates New York as a "purple heart state" to honor combat veterans for their service and sacrifice. It adds a new section to state law stating this designation, with no changes to existing programs or funding. The bill is purely symbolic and ceremonial, directly recognizing veterans through this official title. It does not create new benefits or alter current veteran support systems. The designation would take effect January 1st following enactment.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1151, adopted by the New York State Senate, honors 15 influential Black authors at the Black Authors Festival in Sag Harbor, New York, on August 2, 2025. The resolution recognizes the honorees' contributions to literature, advocacy, and community leadership, including figures like Sunny Hostin, Alton Fitzgerald White, and 13 others. It directs that copies of the resolution be sent to the authors and the festival board as a formal gesture of recognition. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes, solely celebrating individual achievements.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) congratulating Shawn MacKinnon on retiring after 30 years of service as a Senate staffer. It recognizes his roles including Secretary to the Senate Finance Committee, expertise in school funding, and mentorship, but contains no policy changes or mechanisms. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions and will be sent to him as a copy. It directly affects MacKinnon as the honoree, with no impact on legislation or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows current New York City Police Department officers who previously worked as city traffic enforcement agents to count that prior service toward their retirement and pension benefits. To qualify, officers must pay the difference in contributions they would have made had they started as police officers from the beginning of their traffic enforcement role. The policy applies specifically to officers hired as traffic enforcement agents before July 1, 2009. This change ensures that service in both roles is recognized for retirement purposes without requiring additional service time.

Provides protections for telecommunications tower technicians, including requiring certain trainings during work hours without a loss of pay; requires certain reporting by bidders for telecommunication contracts.

Maddy summaryS 7420 extends Suffolk County's authority to impose an additional 1% sales and use tax on top of existing rates, effective June 2021 through November 2027. This tax applies to residents and businesses within Suffolk County that pay sales tax. The bill requires that 12.5% to 37.5% of the tax revenue collected must fund public safety, with the remainder going to the county's general fund. The measure modifies existing tax law to formalize this temporary tax increase and its revenue allocation rules.

Provides for the control and disposal of funds and property and the management of the Hampton Bays Volunteer Exempt Firefighter's Benevolent Association; increases the number of members of its board of trustees from five to eight; relates to the collection of taxes imposed by section 9104 of the insurance law for fire department use and benefit; makes technical corrections.

Permits the Setauket fire district and Stony Brook fire district to enter into contracts with the state university of New York at Stony Brook for property, services, and other consideration.

Enacts the consumer litigation funding act to promote consumer protections related to consumer litigation funding transactions; provides for contract requirements, including that the contract contain a no penalty provision for the prepayment of the funded amount prior to the settlement of their case; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1100) asks Governor Hochul to officially recognize September 21-27, 2025, as Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Awareness Week in New York State. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about FTD, a terminal brain disease affecting speech, behavior, and motor skills, often misdiagnosed in people aged 40-60. The resolution highlights FTD's impact - accounting for 10-20% of dementia cases under 60 - and its high care costs, urging greater attention to the condition. This symbolic action directly affects New Yorkers living with FTD and their families by promoting community recognition.